Monday, 31 March 2014

I'm a big fan of fresh food! Anything raw and ready to munch is ideal for me.

After fancying some avocado in my lunch one day, I picked up some guacamole from the supermarket. More than ready for some good food I sat down and gave the guacamole a go. Only to find it was pretty much baby food with a whole lot of garlic - not my style!

And that's what lead to my own simple and easy recipe for guacamole!

Yield: 2-3 servings

Time to Prepare: 10 minutes

Lasts: 4-5 days

Equipment: bowl, chopping board, knife, whisk, spoon

Ingredients:

1 large avocado

3 Tomkin/cherry/plum tomatoes

The juice of half a lime

Salt and pepper

1 chilli or chilli flakes (optional)

Method:

1. Pulverise the tomatoes with a knife and place in the bowl. Then, cut your avocado in half and remove the stone - don't throw this away!*

2. Scoop out the avocado and add it to the bowl. Next, squeeze the juice of half a lime into the bowl and season with salt and pepper (to taste).

3. If you prefer a cooler guacamole, skip this step.

Deseed and finely chop your chilli then add to the other ingredients - alternatively add a sprinkle of chilli flakes.

4. Using the whisk, mix up the ingredient in the bowl - remembering to release a little frustration by smashing up the avocado - the consistency of your guacamole is up to you, i prefer mine with a few chunks so mixing only took around two minutes.

*If you're not going to use the guacamole straight away placing the stone on top of the mixture will prevent it browning. After doing this, cover with cling film and place in the fridge.

There you go! A quick and healthy recipe for guacamole perfect for any time of the day.

I serve mine with a mixed salad and gluten free, organic, rice cakes.

How do you like yours? Are there any other recipes you'd like me to post?

Thursday, 27 March 2014

“Breakfast is the only meal of the day that I tend to view with the same kind of traditionalised reverence that most people associate with Lunch and Dinner. I like to eat breakfast alone, and almost never before noon; anybody with a terminally jangled lifestyle needs at least one psychic anchor every twenty-four hours, and mine is breakfast. In Hong Kong, Dallas or at home — and regardless of whether or not I have been to bed — breakfast is a personal ritual that can only be properly observed alone, and in a spirit of genuine excess. The food factor should always be massive: four Bloody Marys, two grapefruits, a pot of coffee, Rangoon crepes, a half-pound of either sausage, bacon, or corned beef hash with diced chiles, a Spanish omelette or eggs Benedict, a quart of milk, a chopped lemon for random seasoning, and something like a slice of Key lime pie, two margaritas, and six lines of the best cocaine for dessert… Right, and there should also be two or three newspapers, all mail and messages, a telephone, a notebook for planning the next twenty-four hours and at least one source of good music… All of which should be dealt with outside, in the warmth of a hot sun, and preferably stone naked.”

Sunday, 23 March 2014

5 - shops visited looking for a pizza stone. Who knew it would be so stressful?!
1 - twitter account reactivated. My daily musings can be found here.
2 - coffees accidentally spilt. I'm working on my clumsiness.
90 - minutes spent doing Yoga routines.
3 - kites spotted on my walk with Milo.
(£) 2.50 - spent on Green Kombucha tea and a little head space.
30 - minutes spent realising I don't have time to hate myself.
200+ - the amount of times I've laughed, giggled and chuckled this week.
2 - blisters obtained from taking my new shoes on their first outing. About 3 less than expected.
5:00 - the time I got home after work today. It was busy but very rewarding.
13 - days until the Hoxton North Team head to London for the Coffee Festival!!

Wednesday, 19 March 2014

It's my day off that has lead to this spontaneous post. Right now, I am faced with an excruciating headache - I probably couldn't call it a migraine - and the choice between taking medicine and not taking medicine.

For myself, I don't entertain the idea of medicine. I find it difficult to place something unnatural into my body to 'fix' a (sometimes) natural occurrence (in this case, a simple headache).

I've been prescribed my fair share of medicine in the past. Many I care not to mention.

At a younger age, I am aware I have ingested medicine and it did resolved whatever health issue I had. However, the past few years I've been offered various medicines to either aid or cure my 'problems' (I place that word in quotation marks because I often find problems are to do with perspective and opinions). In short, I did try the offered medicine and although many family and friends said they saw a difference, however I didn't feel one. I've learnt to acknowledge how I feel during the time I take medicine and how I look/appear when taking it - two very different things to be aware of.

Granted I accept there are many illnesses and diseases that do depend heavily on medicine, and that's fine! I am also aware that each person is completely free to obtain their own opinions about said topic without being wrongly judged.

In conclusion, I won't being taking medicine for this headache. A walk and plenty of water always sorts me out, and leaves me feeling a lot better than any chemicals do.

Friday, 14 March 2014

She came home later than usual that afternoon. The look on her face screamed "I was just a few marks off passing!" He guessed she'd been hiding in the library all afternoon... he was probably right, she had a habit of doing that.

"So what if you didn't pass?!" His voice sounded softer than she expected, she wandered to the bedroom without a word.

He plonked himself at the kitchen table. Frustrated and a little uneasy with her dismissal. Stillness swept the house and after ten minutes he couldn't bare it. A letter. That was the best way to get through to her.

I hope you know I don't care that you didn't pass. You're going to cry about this exam, I know you are - hell, I might too! I'll be yours at two in the morning and two in the afternoon and I'll kiss you until you smile again.

And I'll still bring you cheese on toast every Thursday afternoon. We can watch that shitty film you love, and yes I'll pretend I'm interested despite already knowing the ending.

Let's see if you're still mad after that.

He folded the note, slipped it under the bedroom door and listened attentively for the sound of the floorboards creaking.

Familiar sound heard, he popped two slices of bread in the toaster and raided the fridge for the cheese.

Monday, 10 March 2014

Excited for: Lots of laughing. I'm going to see Russell Howard this Sunday and excitement is definitely taking over!

Listening to:Ben L'Oncle Soul. A soulful, French singer songwriter?! Well damn, I am sold. After being introduced to his music by my older brother around a year ago I'm still loving it. Perfect on a warm summer evening or even as a winter pick me up.

Planning: A whole heap of journeys I want to take... providing I pass my driving test. There's a lot of places I want to see, explore, wander through and passing my driving test later in the month would really help me along with this. Motivation to pass: check!

Saturday, 1 March 2014

It's nice to see you. Spring has sprung and you have a hefty example to set. I encourage you to suffice.
Thank you for bringing the time where the clocks whiz forward and the light lasts a little longer. If that's something that could be arranged all year round that would be delightful. You're still a little chilly and the possibility of snow isn't too appealing to me, but if you could bring some sunshine and a little warmth I'd be eternally grateful.
You're a longer month than February and I hope to fill you with productivity and happiness, much like the previous two have allowed me. I'm enthralled for the new possibilities you bring. Celebration, family, love and a whole heap of laughter.
Let's go.